Governor for internal-combustion motors



May 22, 1928.

E. KNAUSS GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Fild Sept. 1, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet gn wzntoz Edward Knawss,

May 22, 1928.

E. KNAUSS GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Filed Sept. 1926 5 Sheets-:Sheet 2 May 22, 1928.

E. KNAUSS GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Filed Sept. 1, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N VENT'OQ EcZwanZEh ES-S,

May 22, 1928.

1,670,364 E. KNAUSS GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Filed Sept. l926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwuzntoz Kmwss,

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7/ u! I 1 I I: I 1 WM (r 'jll 4 alto: new

May 22, 1928.

1,670,364 E. KNAUSS GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Filed Sept. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .FjgJO.

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' 15 closed position.

Patented Ma 22, 1928.

, UNITED STATES 1,670,364 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD KNAUSS, OI I'LOBIN, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO I. P. PRODUCTS CO. 110.,

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORP ORATION OF NEW YORK.

GOVERNOR FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION MOTORS.

Application filed September This invention relates to that type of governors for internal combustion engines having provision for maintaining automatically a nearly constant engine speed under varying load conditions.

A primar object of 'the invention is to simplify an perfect that type of governor .for internal combustion motors associated with the main throttle valve and including a overning valve and means actuated by the 'fi'erential between the pressure in the passage-way between the governing valve and intake manifold'and atmospheric pressure for moving said glgverning valve toward its to in which frictional resistance to the movement of the governing valve in either direction is substantially eliminated by the use of resistance instrumentalities which are closely'balanced to the vacuum and to the im act of the mixture on the valve.

nother object of the invention is to provide .a novel governing valve construction,

95 and novel port formation therefor, whereby 4o proportion to the vacuum under the varying load conditions.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood,

at the same consists in the novel construction,

combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of an the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device as constituting the present invention.

0 that end the invention 7 contemplates a governor of thetype referred l, 1926. Serial No. 133,045.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail vertical longitudinal sectional view of the device.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on'the line 44 of Fig. 3.

The Figure 5 is a partial sectional plan view of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail view illustrating the relat1ve position of the vacuum responsive element and the governing valve, illustrating more clearly the direct operating connection therebetween.

Figure 7 is a detail elevation of one of the valve seat members.

Figure 8 is a detail cross-sectional view of the valve seat member shown in-Fi 7.

Figure 9 is a graph illustrating t e efiect of shaping open port area upon characteristics of vacuum-at constant speed and varyin load. a

igure '10 is a graph illustrating the characteristics of piston movement, vacuum force acting upon piston, and spring force balancing the vacuum force. f

Figure 11.- is a view illustrating an ideal shape of port forthe overning valve or valve speed member and the areas cut oil by the rotation of a valve over an arc of which, if the valve is to be balanced by providing three ports, is the limit of movement.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view illus- 1 trating the position of the present device with reference to the manifold pipe carbureter, and manually controlling throttle valve.

7 Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several fig ures of the drawings.

To illustrate the essential features of the invention there is shown in the drawings one practical example thereof." Referring to that embodiment the same includes in its general organization two principal members, namely, the governing valve member A and the piston member B. In the preferred and practical embodiment of the invention KW shown in the drawings, the governing valve member A is preferably of the circular disk type having flat faces and provided therein with a plurality of valve ports 1 whose characteristics will hereinafter be more particuwe larly referred to and said governing valve member may be conveniently mounted for oscillation between a pair of valve seat members C-(l arranged respectively on opposite sides of the operative position of the govern- 110 'circular form and having tapered portions 2 snugly registering in correspondingly tapered portions 3 within the valve casing D and also the said valve seat members CC are preferably provided with internal openings in which are received the journal pins 4 projecting from opposite sides of the governmg valve member A to provide for the balanced mounting of the said valve member between the seat members CC in order that it may freely oscillate or partially rotate between the seat members. as the piston member B reciprocates respectively under the influence of a vacuum and a resistance means associated therewith. Furthermore, it will be observed that it is preferable in carrying forward the invention to provide each of the valve seat members C with a plurality of fuel ports 5 corresponding in shape and spacing to the ports 1 in the governing valve member A, and the fuel ports 5 of the valve seat members being in open communication with the intake and outlet openings 6 and 7 respectively through opposite sides of the valve casing D. It will be noted that the fuel ports in the valve seat members are preferably of a tapering and somewhat twisted form so as to have a Venturi action on the stream of fuel mixture passing through the governing valve.

At this point it will be observed that the valve casing D is utilized as the pipe coupling member. the same being provided with the bolt ears 8 for receiving the bolts which couple the valve casing to the fuel mixture line between the carbureter and the intake manifold of the engine. The side opening 6 of the valve casing which is shown in direct communication with that side of the fuel pipe connecting with the intake manifold is therefore at all times in open communication with the intake manifold so as to be open to the suction or vacuum producedin the operation of the motor and to provide for placing the piston member B subject to the vacuum produced by the action of the motor on the engine side of the governing valve. e

The piston housing or barrel E is cored as at 9 to provide a suction passage which opens at one end as at 10 through the side opening 6 of the valve casing and at its other end as at 11 into one end of the piston housing or barrel E thereby placing the piston member B under the influence of the vacuum for moving it in one direction, the other end of the piston housing or barrel 2 being open to the atmosphere as at a.

The piston member B is preferably of a cylindrical and hollow or tubular formation. It snugly fits and slides within the housing or barrel E and is provided for a greater portion of its length with a rack 12 meshing with a section of gear teeth 13 on the peripheral edge of the valve member A which peripheral edge of the valve member projects through a side opening 14 in the piston housing or barrel E. In order that the gear and rack relation between the valve member and piston member may be maintained under all conditions, regardless of axial turning of the piston member, the toothed rack 12 of the piston member completely encircles such member, as shown, thereby balancing the vacuum on all sides of said piston.

A distinctive and important feature of the present invention is to subject the piston member B to a resistance of accumulated spring action as the vacuum increases under varying load conditions so as to thereby balance the movement of the piston and the valve to the vacuum. That is preferably accomplished according to the present invention by the employment of a series of springs of varying resistance and successive action, said springs being designated respectively by the reference numbers 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

The springs 1516 are formed by the same spring wire, the spring 15 however consisting of a series of very closely arranged coils, while the spring 16 is formed with more widely'spaced coils. The said duplex spring 1516 is suitably mounted at one end on a spring abutment head 20 carried by an adjusting screw 21 mounted in a head cap 22 for one end of the piston housing or barrel E. The duplex spring 1516 constitutes the spring of the series and the closely coiled section 15 is completely collapsed when the piston has moved but a short distance or to the point P on the graph 10. The duplex spring 1516 is arranged within one end of the piston B and bears against an interior spring abutment 23 fitted inside of the piston. The said interior spring abutment 23 is preferably in the form of a hollow thimble over which the spring 15 fits and abuts and the interior of which hollow thimble constitutes a clearance for a spring supporting rod 24 which carries the other series of springs 17, 18 and 19 previously referred to and which are springs of varying predletermined strength and variant coil pitc The said spring supporting rod .24 also carries an abutment washer 25 "adapted to be detachably interlocked with the rabbeted or equivalently formed end 26 of the piston so that as the said piston is drawn in one direction against the springs 1516 under initial resistance the influence of the vacuum the springs 17,

18 and 19 willybe picked up at point P and their resistance added to the resistance of the springs and 16. As the piston continues to move the spring 18 which is the weakest and most closely coiled of the secondary group 17, 18 and 19 is the firstto be completely collapsed. The position of the iston is then at point P on the graph 10.. he s ring 17 being weaker and more closelycoi ed than spring 19 is completely collapsed when the piston has reached the point P on graph 10. i

From this point on the further movement of the piston compresses the comparatively stifl springs 16 and 17 resultin in increased straight line resistance to the further movement of said piston corresponding to the nearly straight line of the vacuum effort of the piston as shown on the graph 10. In this action it will be observed that the abutment washer is thrust against the spring 17 and the latter in turn against the spring,

18 and the latter in turn againstthe spring 19. The spring supporting rod 24 is suitably mounted adjustably in a head cap 27 fitted to one end of the, piston housing or barrel E.

Referring to the sha and action of the ports in the valve mem er and in the valve "seat members it hasalready been pointed out that these ports are so shaped and so cooperate that each equal increment of the movement-of the valve toward closed position cuts off a progressively diminishing area of the fuel ports in the valve seat. That-is to say, the ports in the valve and valve seats are of such a shape and are so arranged that normally both sets of ports register to permit a relativel unobstructed flow of fuel through the inta e line. However, upon the increase of vacuum due to the speeding up of-the motor the vacuum responsive piston element .immediately moves the disk-like overning, valve so as to reduce the area of al of the ports uniformly. Inthe example shown it will be observed that the ports in the valve and the valve seats "are, of substantially flaring formation from the axis .of the valve. Therefore, as shown, the ports are formed with a relatively long wall a; and a relatively short wall y, both formed radially with respect to the axis of the valveand connected by an arcuate wall .2. The said arcuate wall 2 is formed on an are that is transversely eccentric to the axis of the valve and the arrangement between the merging side walls 3 and a of the valve is such'as'to effeet a relatively quick reduction in the area of the ports when the piston B moves the valve A in the'direction of the arrow in Fig. 3. The continued movement of the valve toward its closed position cuts off a progressively diminishing area of the port as previously stated so that the valve maintains a substantially perfect balance between the vacuum and the spring resistance. In fact the construction and mounting of this valve tends to' straighten out the vacuum curve as shown-in the graph of Fig. 10, and therefore simplifies and makes practical the problem of balancing the vacuum to the spring resistance. As the vacuum tends to increase under increased engine speed the piston B will automatically rotate the valve A so as to cut down the areav of the ports and thus maintaina substantially constant engine-speed. On the other hand, when the load is increased and the manual throttle isopened the vacuum will be reduced and the springs will move the piston back and the valve A to or toward its open position thereby wholly or so partially uncovering the ports that the engine speed may be maintained. A

While the shape of the ports in the valve A and valve seats illustrate a preferred and practical t pe of port, nevertheless it will be understoo that the exact shape of these orts may be varied in different type units, ut it ma be pointed out that a distinctive feature 0 these ports is to have two merging sides thereof cooperating with a fixed side in the valve seat (or vice versa)- so that a given initial movement of the valve will effect a very considerable diminution of the port area while each like continued uniform movement of the valve will close a progres ,sively diminishing portion of the port area.

' One of the problems incident to the perfection of automatic governing devices of the type referred to .herein isto economize space for installation purposes and yet at the same time embodyingin the apparatus the {essential features of means for controlling the area of the intake. The present device as shown with the adaptation of a rotary disk type valve preferably directly connected with the vacuum responsive element affords ,'a satisfactory solution to this problem while at the same time enabling the device to be designed along lines which permit of the utilization of comparatively short length springs whose resistance energy may be fully utilized withoutundue friction. That is to say, in prior devices the elementof friction incidentto the operation of the vacuum responsive device the governing valve and its coninections has been such a considerable disturbing factor. However, with the present type of sensitiveplunger or piston balanced governing valve and its direct synchronized connection with the piston a minimum of friction and resistance is encountered, there-, by leaving the springs free to perform their function of maintaining the governing valve in the proper position. a

The throttling action of the governing valve A is as follows When the main throttle valve isopen the vacuum in the fuel duct, down stream from the governing valve, is not sufficient to move the piston until the predetermined engine.

.throttle valve M until the predetermined speed for whichv the governor is set is reached.

In order to exemplify the possibilities of this invention there is shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings the ideal shape of portin the valve and in the valve seat'members which would produce a substantially straight vacuum line, which could be balanced by a single spring, but inasmuch as a governing valve structure having this ideal port shape would involve a device of too great diameter for practical use in many types of automobiles, the preferred embodiment of theinvention as to the shapes of these ports is shown in the other figures of the drawings.

Another feature of the invention relating to the use of a rotar valve with a plurality of radially dispose ports is that this arrangement affords a better and more uniform distribution of the fuel mixture in the intake line This construction also balances the valve against impass of the mixture thereon and the vacuum to which it is subjected. The Venturi valve seats also materially assist in the n'iovement of the fuel mixture through the intake passage and effect a more perfect atomization of the mixture which materially assists in its gasification.

One of the principal advantages in the operation of my governor is that exceptmomentarily when the load on the motor is suddenly removed or thrown on, it will under all load and main throttle settings limit the engine speed to the speed for which the governor is adjusted and renders it impossible to overrun the speed for which-the governor is adjusted by skillful manipulation of the manually operated main throttle valve.

I claim 1. An automatic governor 'for internal combustion engines comprising a vacuum responsive member and a governing valve member directly connected for movement in unison, and spring resistance means associated with one of said members, said valve member having valve ports so constructed as to substantially straighten the vacuum curve.

sively diminishing reduction of the area of' the passageway.

3. An automatic governor for internal combustion motors including a passageway for mixture, a vacuum responsive member and a rotary disk valve operatively connected therewith, said disk valve having means for effecting in equal increments of movement, an initial maximum reduction of the area of the passageway and then a progressively diminishing reduction of the area of the passageway.

4. A governor for internal combustion engines comprising a mixture passageway. a controlling member and a governing va ve member connected for movement in synchronism, resistance means approximately balanced to the vacuum force, said valve member having means for effecting, in equal increments of movement, an initial maximum reduction of the area of the passageway and a progressively diminishing reduction of the area of the passageway.

5. An automatic governor for internal combustion motors including the combina tion with the induction passage and a main throttle valve, of a valve unit arranged in said induction passage and comprising a valve seat having ports therein and a rotary governing valve member having ports registering and matching, said ports in the valve and valve seat being shaped to provide an initial quick maximum reduction of the area of the ports and then a progressively diminishing reduction of the area of the ports on the movement of the valve, and vacuum responsive means connected directly to said valve.

6. An automatic governor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination-a mixture supply duct, a main throttle valve, a vacuum responsive member, a governing valve member located on the engine side of said main throttle valve connected to said vacuum responsive member, and mixture supply ports of such conformation that the diminution in pressure in the mixture supply duct on the engine side of. said governing. valve will be in substantially direct proportion to the movement of said governing valve towards the closed position.

7. An automatic governor for internal combustion engines including a passageway for mixture, a vacuum responsive member, spring resistance means therefor, and a valve member connected with said vacuum responsive means and so constructed as to Ill llt

provide a progressively diminishing cut-oflf and spring resistance means therefor, and a rotary disk valve connected with said vacuum responsive member and having ports so constructed as to substantially straighten the vacuum curve. 7

9. An. automatic governor for internal combustion engines including a passageway for mixture, a vacuum responsive member, spring resistance means therefor, and a valve connected with said vacuum responsive member and so constructed as to pro- 'vide a progressively diminishing cut-oil of the area of the passageway for mixture for each increment of movement of the valve towardthe closed position.

10. An automatic governor for internal combustion engines including a passageway for mixture, a vacuum responsive member and spring resistance means therefor, and a rotary valve connected with said vacuum respon sive member and having ports so constructed as to substantially straighten the vacuum curve.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature. v

EDWARD KNAUSS. 

